Council of Europe

May 13

Following Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe in January 2001, the Council of Europe Information Office was established in Yerevan in December 2002, based on Decision No. (99)9 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.  The Information Office (COEIO) was officially opened on 8 July 2003 and operated in Armenia until its closure on 31 December 2010. During that time, the COEIO disseminated information about the activities and objectives of the Council of Europe, organized events and seminars, and translated and published CoE documents. Since December 2002, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe has also appointed a Special Representative in the Republic of Armenia. The scope of the Secretary General’s (SRS) activities included establishing contacts with the necessary national authorities, the international community and civil society representatives, as well as promoting the Council of Europe’s policy and activities related to Armenia’s accession to the Council of Europe, in particular with regard to the country’s commitments. During the visit of Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland to Armenia, on 17 April 2013, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, on the establishment of a Council of Europe office in Yerevan and its legal status, based on the 2010 Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Decision on the Status of Council of Europe Offices. (2010)5 adopted in July. The Council of Europe Enlarged Office in Yerevan represents the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to the national authorities, supports and promotes the policies and activities of the Armenian authorities and the Council of Europe bodies in relation to Armenia’s accession to the Council of Europe. It also assists the national authorities in planning and timely implementing targeted actions within the framework of cooperation with the Council of Europe. The Memorandum of Understanding entered into force on 3 July 2013. The new status of the Council of Europe Office envisages a more enhanced cooperation between Yerevan and Strasbourg in the field of democracy, human rights and the rule of law through on-the-ground projects. The Yerevan Office supports the implementation of Council of Europe programmes in Armenia, as well as regional, EU and other donor programmes, based on the CoE’s 2023–2026 Strategy for Armenia. on the Action Plan. It represents a package of priority actions aimed at assisting Armenia in bringing its legislation, institutions and practices into line with European standards. In order to provide effective support in this process, the Office works closely with the Armenian authorities, the international community and civil society. Official website of the Council of Europe: https://www.coe.int/hy/web/yerevan